Arti's Story

The following story is about the power of collaboration in ensuring all students have the opportunity to thrive. It was submitted to the Girl Rising Champions of Change Contest, powered by HP.

Arti was in school up to Class I in a primary school in Bihar, India before she migrated to another location with her parents, who moved in the hope of finding a livelihood opportunity in the brick kilns. Arti boarded the bus with her parents, but after a while got off the bus and ran away – back to her village of Bara.

For about two months she lived in and around the village, until the Save the Children-Girl Rising project made sure she was readmitted to Class II in the local middle school.

Arti now attends school regularly and pays attention to the alphabet and the numeracy lessons taught in school. She is learning the English alphabet and numbers quickly, and is able to read words and sentences now. She also does two-digit addition and subtraction.

Arti said, "I learned the alphabet and functional English that enabled me to write my name, address, village and town. Arti quickly added, "Teachers are now using different methods to involve children in learning – like conversation, drama, role play and debates.”

Arti’s father said, “Arti is brimming with confidence and inspiring other girls to come to school daily, and also convincing parents to send their children to school. I attribute this change in Arti’s life and community to Save the Children’s continuous campaign on [and gender sensitization.]"